Devices for generating acoustic waves in a liquid medium

ABSTRACT

Device for generating acoustic waves in a liquid medium by implosion having two movable rigid members interconnected by a deformable membrane the membrane is formed of two annular strips each perpendicularly secured to the external edge of a movable member and to an annular flange external to the moveable members respectively to form a tight enclosure between the moveable member. At least one annular boss is provided on the external edges of the rigid members and on the annular flange to achieve a proper sealing between the external liquid medium and the enclosure.

United States Patent 1191 Magneville et al.

1451 Feb. 12, 1974 DEVICES FOR GENERATING ACOUSTIC WAVES IN A LIQUID MEDIUM Inventors: Pierre Magneville, Vernouillet;

Claude Duconge, Le Vesinet, both of France Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole Filed: Oct. 13, 1971 Appl. No.: 188,816

Paslay et al 340/8 PC mllllgpj Q 3,283,294 11/1966 Schrom 340/12 R 3,126,520 3/1964 Abbott....

2,699,835 1 1955 lde 3,676,540 7/1972 Bays 340/12 Primary ExaminerBenjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-M. J. Tudor Attorney, Agent, or FirmCraig and Antonelli [5 7] ABSTRACT Device for generating acoustic waves in a liquid medium by implosion having two movable rigid members interconnected by a deformable membrane the membrane is formed of two annular strips each perpendicularly secured to the external edge ofa movable member and to an annular flange external to the moveable members respectively to form a tight enclosure be tween the moveable member. At least one annular boss is provided on the external edges of the rigid members and on the annular flange to achieve a proper sealing between the external liquid medium and the enclosure.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DEVICES FOR GENERATING ACOUSTIC WAVES IN A LIQUID MEDIUM This invention relates to improved devices for generating acoustic waves in a liquid medium, particularly by implosion.

A device of this type has been described in US. Pat. No. 3,564,492. It comprises a generator formed essentially of two moveable members substantially identical and opposed to each other, made of a rigid material, connected in a tight manner through an annular membrane of deformable material forming a tight enclosure with said members. This generator is provided with automatic means for moving apart said members and for starting the motion bringing them together, as well as means for locking said members in spaced relationship, and releasing means.

These members comprise at least one surface of common contact when they are brought together and are associated to means for creating inside said enclosure a lower pressure than that prevailing outside the enclosure.

According to one embodiment of the device, illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings of the abovementioned patent, the annular membrance connecting the moveable members may be formed of two parts, e.g. two annular strips, slightly deformable, secured to each other at their periphery and further secured to the periphery of the movable members.

The present invention relates to an improvement to said device according to which the annular membrane, also formed in two parts, is secured by means of elements which prevent an excessive deformation and a too rapid wear of said membrane.

This improvement will be now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross'sectional view of the membrane and its fixation system, the device being in closed position, and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the membrane and its fixation system, the device being in open position.

On these figures the membrane comprises two flat and annular strips 6 a, 6 b made of slightly elastic material, eg of neoprene. Each of these strips is secured along its internal periphery to the external periphery of one of the moveable members 2 a,-2 b by means of clamping bolts 85, and along its external periphery onto an annular metal flange 86 by means of clamping bolts 87.

For conveniently distributing the stresses on the internal and external periphery of each strip, metal rings 88 are interposed between the clamping bolts and the strips. This provision avoids any deterioration of the elastic material around the bolts.

In order to achieve a good sealing between the external liquid medium and the enclosure, defined by the moveable members 2 a, 2 b in spaced position, the two membrane parts 6a, 6b and the annular'flange 86, annular bosses 89 and 90 are respectively provided on the edge of members 2 a, 2 b and on the edge of the flange 86. The flexible membrane 6a, 6b being adapted to the shape of these bosses, the sealing is thus performed.

This improvement provides an increased life of use of the device and improves its power output.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Consequently such changes and modifications are properly, equitably and intended to be within the full range of equivalence of the following claims.

What we claim is:

1. An arrangement for generating acoustic waves in a liquid medium comprising at least two members movable with respect to each other in opposite directions, said members being made of rigid material and connected by a sealing membrane formed of two annular strips of deformable material, each secured at its internal periphery to the external edge of a movable member and at its external periphery to an annular rigid element disposed externally to the movable members constituting with the member and the membrane a tight enclosure, each of said members being provided with an external edge and at least one contact surface, the improvement consisting in that the annular rigid element comprises an annular flange the external section of which is larger than the distance-between the external edges of the movable members when in contact, said flange being provided with two surface portions inclined with respect to the contact surfaces of the movable members and an intermediate surface portion dis- .posed parallel to the external edges of the movable members interconnecting said two inclined surface portions, said surface portion having an inclination of which is so selected that most of the annular strips lay on the flange when said members are in contact with each other.

2. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said sealing means comprise at least one annular boss.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a means for sealing the annular strips to said moveable members and said flange.

4. An arrangement for an acoustic wave generator having at least two movable members provided with opposing contact surfaces interconnected by a pair of annular strips of deformable material, said two movable members adapted to be selectively moved from a position wherein the contact surfaces engage to a position wherein said contact surfaces are spaced apart, the improvement comprising: a flange disposed externally of said movable members, provided with first and second spaced portions extending substantially parallel to said contact surfaces, said first and second spaced portions being spaced a distance which is intermediate of the distances between the external edges of the movable members when in contact and when is spaced apart relationship, a third and fourth portion inclined with respect to said contact surfaces extending from said first and second portions, respectively, and a fifth portion disposed substantially perpendicular to said first and second portions joining said third and fourth portions, said annular strips being secured to said first and second portions, respectively, and said movable members.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, further comprising a means for sealing said annular strips to said first and second portions and said moveable members.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said sealing means comprises at least one annular boss nular strips around said clamping bolts.

9. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said last mentioned means includes at least one metal ring interposed between each of said clamping bolts and said annular strips. 

1. An arrangement for generating acoustic waves in a liquid medium comprising at least two members movable with respect to each other in opposite directions, said members being made of rigid material and connected by a sealing membrane formed of two annular strips of deformable material, each secured at its internal periphery to the external edge of a movable member and at its external periphery to an annular rigid element disposed externally to the movable members constituting with the member and the membrane a tight enclosure, each of said members being provided with an external edge and at least one contact surface, the improvement consisting in that the annular rigid element comprises an annular flange the external section of which is larger than the distance between the external edges of the movable members when in contact, said flange being provided with two surface portions inclined with respect to the contact surfaces of the movable members and an intermediate surface portion disposed parallel to the external edges of the movable members interconnecting said two inclined surface portions, said surface portion having an inclination of which is so selected that most of the annular strips lay on the flange when said members are in contact with each other.
 2. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said sealing means comprise at least one annular boss.
 3. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a means for sealing the annular strips to said moveable members and said flange.
 4. An arrangement for an acoustic wave generator having at least two movable members provided with opposing contact surfaces interconnected by a pair of annular strips of deformable material, said two movable members adapted to be selectively moved from a position wherein the contact surfaces engage to a position wherein said contact surfaces are spaced apart, the improvement comprising: a flange disposed externally of said movable members, provided with first and second spaced portions extending substantially parallel to said contact surfaces, said first and second spaced portions being spaced a distance which is intermediate of the distances between the external edges of the movable members when in contact and when is spaced apart relationship, a third and fourth portion inclined with respect to said contact surfaces extending from said first and second portions, respectively, and a fifth portion disposed substantially perpendicular to said first and second portions joining said third and fourth portions, said annular strips being secured to said first and second portions, respectively, and said movable members.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, further comprising a means for sealing said annular strips to said first and second portions and said moveable members.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said sealing means comprises at least one annular boss disposed on said first and second portions and said moveable members.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said annular strips are secured to said flange and said moveable members by clamping bolts.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein means are provided to prevent deterioration of said annular strips around said clamping bolts.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said last mentioned means includes at least one metal ring interposed between each of said clamping bolts and said annular strips. 